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Here are the latest obituaries and notices as provided by the
funeral homes serving Cookeville, Baxter, Monterey, Sparta, Gainesboro and Livingston.
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Obituaries For Friday, August 10
Mrs. Cornelia Steakley, age 97 of Cookeville, passed away on August 9, 2018 at Bethesda Health Care Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Mrs. Tena Whittaker, Age 48, Of The Anderson Community Of Monterey, Passed Away On Thursday, August 9, 2018 At Vanderbilt University Medical Center In Nashville, Tennessee. Funeral Arrangements Are Incomplete.
Huey “Clay” Clayton Gardner, 77 of Crossville, passed from this life on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at Cumberland Medical Center in Crossville. Clay was born Friday, October 18, 1940 in Homerville, Georgia, he was the son of the late John and Muriel (Daughtery) Gardner. Clay volunteered for the military and served the United States Navy. He was a offshore rig electrician for most of his life. Clay enjoyed nothing more than to have a good book in his hands. He loved being surrounded by his family and loved ones. Clay was a giving man and was known to spend his entire earnings on anyone that was in need. Clay is survived by: Daughter: Kelli and Daniel Beasmore; Son: John Bonds; 9 Grandchildren: Anthony, Natali, Zachary Alegria, Mayci Grebe, Melody and Westley Beasmore, Jarred, Julian, and Jacob Bonds; Great-Grandson: Bodhi Bonds; Sister: Denise JoAnn Gardner; Nephew: Robin Booth. In addition to his parents, Clay was preceded in death by: Wife, LaRae “Sunni” Gardner and Sister, Betsy Hughes. Clay chose cremation, the family followed his wishes, and a Celebration of his Life will be held at a later date in Florida.
Services for Dr. Harsha Nath Mookherjee, age 82, of Cookeville, will be at 11am on Saturday, August 11, at the Franklin Inn, 1308 Murfreesboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37064. Dr Mookherjee passed away Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at his home. He was born September 1, 1935 in Kolkata, India to the late Kanai Lal Mookherjee and Kamala Chatterjee Mookherjee. Dr. Mookherjee and his wife, Ira Ganguly Mookherjee, moved to the US from India in 1967 for him to pursue doctoral studies at Mississippi State University, where he was awarded his PhD in 1971. In 1970, he joined the faculty at Tennessee Tech University where he remained until his retirement as a full professor in 2008 as one of the most published faculty in the Department of Sociology and Political Science. He was an internationally respected authority in sociology and anthropology, became a Fulbright Scholar in 1985 where he was awarded the Fulbright to teach in Papua New Guinea. Dr. Mookherjee cared deeply about his students, establishing The Mookherjee Award, a scholarship for TTU sociology majors that encouraged publishing and academic excellence. He received numerous major grants for an Alcohol Safety Program he oversaw in the Upper Cumberland Area. As a founding member of the local Indian community, he helped to organize religious and cultural outreach programs across the Middle Tennessee region. He and his wife participated in the TTU Host Family Program (ICHA) since its inception in 1970 and he served as President of the ICHU Board for many years. Dr. Mookherjee was a member of the Cookeville Noonday Rotary. He was a dedicated teacher and wonderful mentor, respected and beloved colleague, and cherished friend who will be missed by many in the Cookeville community. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ira; daughter, Paramita (Mita) Mookherjee, son-in-law, Nikita Synytskyy, and grandson, Dmitriy Mookherjee Synytskyy, of Seattle, WA; and three sisters that reside in India. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Mookherjee Award at TTU, PO Box 1915 Cookeville, TN 38505.
Funeral Services For Maybell Templeton, Age 85, Of Sparta, Tennessee, Will Be Conducted On Saturday, August 11, 2018, At 11:00 AM From The Chapel Of Goff Funeral Home. Bro. John Lawson Will Officiate With Interment To Follow In The Welch Memorial Cemetery. Mrs. Templeton Was Born On September 8, 1932, In Monterey, Tennessee, To The Late James Haskell And Poppy Howard Swallows. Mrs. Templeton Passed Away On Wednesday, August 8, 2018, At Life Care Center In Sparta, Tennessee. Mrs. Templeton Was A Homemaker. She Was A Member Of Big Springs Church Of Christ. She Is Survived By, Daughter, Patsy McIntosh Of Irvin, KY; 4 Grandchildren, Including Timiri Bingham Of Irvin, KY; 4 Great Grandchildren; 3 Great Great Grandchildren; Sister, Magnolia Alexander Of Sparta, TN. In Addition To Her Parents, She Was Preceded In Death By Her Husband, Otis Templeton; Son, Ted Templeton; 2 Sisters, Maxine Swallows And Elise Gardner; And 2 Brothers, Elza And Lester Swallows. The Family Will Receive Friends At Goff Funeral Home On Saturday, August 11, 2018, From 10:00 AM Until The Time Of Services At 11:00 AM.
Graveside services for Mr. Rollie Lafayette Mayer, Jr., age 89, of Livingston will be conducted 2 p.m., Saturday, August 11, 2018 from the Overton County Memorial Gardens. Mr. Mayer passed from this life on Friday evening, August 3, 2018, from the Overton County Health & Rehab in Livingston. He was born in West Frankford, IL to the late Rollie Lafayette & Haydia Jeanette Brooks Mayer. Rollie worked for General Motors for many years. Baptist in faith, he enjoyed working, bowling and golfing. Rollie leaves his sons, Roger Mayer of Livingston, and Ronald Wood and wife Betty of Arizona; daughter, Patty Jo Serda of Pontiac, MI; 17 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren; brother, Phillip Mayer and wife Rosalie of Allons; sister, Zolonia Steffens of Livingston. In addition to his parents, Rollie was preceded in death by his wife, Dovie L. Mayer; son, Dennis Wood, and brother, Delbert Mayer. The family will welcome friends at the graveside.
Funeral services for Mrs. Betty Sue Stafford, 79, of Cookeville, will be held at 2 P.M. on Saturday, August 11, 2018, at Anderson – Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in Gainesboro. Burial will follow in the John L. Clark Memorial Cemetery in Gainesboro. She passed away on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at NHC Health Care Center in Cookeville. She was born July 9, 1939, in Jackson County, to the late Cordell Harris and Theo Godsey Harris. She was married to the late Billy P. Stafford, who passed away January 24, 2013. She was a factory worker in the auto industry, and a member of the Collegeside Church of Christ in Cookeville. She spent most of her life in Detroit, MI, from age 4 until she retired. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by 3 Brothers: Bobby Harris, Larry Harris, and Roger Harris. Survivors include 1 Son: Dennis (Stella) Stafford of Gainesboro; 2 Daughters: Diane (Steve) Smith of Cookeville, and Donna (Milan) Zec of Cookeville; 4 Grandchildren: Joshua Ledbetter, Nicholas (Katie) Ledbetter, Andy Stafford, and Michelle (Jeremy) Flynt; 5 Great Grandchildren: Cajun Ledbetter, Spencer Stafford, Piper Stafford, Jorja Flynt, and Grayson Flynt; and her Special Friend and Caretaker: Patty Cunningham of Cookeville. Special thanks to Dr. Katherine Bertram and all the staff at NHC for their special care. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10 A.M. until time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge by contacting the funeral home.
Funeral Services for Reverend Jonathan Wayne Spence, age 48 of Alexandria, will be held at 2pm on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home in Sparta with Pastor Cliff Spence and Pastor Freddy Curtis officiating. Burial will follow at Hunter Memorial Park in Wilson County. Rev. Jonathan was born on January 21, 1970 in Grundy, VA. He went to be with Jesus on August 7, 2018 after living with chronic pain for many years. Rev. Jonathan was a true man of God and had the biggest heart in the world. He dedicated his life to serving the Lord and introducing others to Jesus. He was also extremely talented. He was an anointed singer and could play almost any instrument he picked up, including the guitar, bass guitar, trumpet, and piano. He was a dedicated member of the Alexandria Church of God. He is survived by his wife and soulmate, Jasmine Zervas Spence and step-son, Damien Sullivan of Alexandria; father, Rev. Clifford and mother, Jean Spence of Brush Creek; daughter, Kelly Spence and grandson, Raymond Nester IV of Detroit, MI; brother, David Spence (Dana) of Lebanon; maternal grandmother, Margie Shortridge of Lebanon, and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and a large extended family also survive. He was preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Paul Shortridge; uncles, Tilford Salyer and Don Shumate; paternal grandfather and grandmother, Melvin and Pearl Spence; and aunt, Judy Woodall. The family will welcome friends from 11am until time of the service on Sunday at the funeral home.
